Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-07


suburban resident purposes, and these lots
are now beautiful additions to the city.
The original city plat was mostly between
the two Chico creeks, and was a most in
viting spot, The streets are we'll graded,
and the sidewalks in good order. Fhe
buildings in the business portion are large
and well built. Some of the blocks
would be
A CREDIT TO METROPOLITAN CITIES.
The Masonic and Odd Fellows blocks |
are buildings of this kind.
PUBLIC PARK
In the center of the city there isone Of the |
most beautiful parks in this State. 1t was |
donated to the city in perpetuity by Cen
eral Bidwell on the condition that it |
should be kept in perfect condition and de- |
voted to the people as pleasure ground. |
The city authorities are administering the |
trust most faithfully, as it possesses almost |
every beautiful tree and plant growth |
known to the temperate and semi-tropic |
zones. The city is well lighted by gas
lamps at all the street corners, and soon
will have electric lights from several tall
masts
THE SUPPLY OF WATER
is most ample and admirable. The water
comes from Chico creek, which takes its
rise in the SHOWS Of the higher Sierra Ne
vadas. The capacity of the Holly system
of water works is ten million gallons per
day, and the consumption daily is nearly
million gallons. Water mains are running
TO all parts Of the city, and the power at
the water works is so great that four pow
erful streams can be turned upon any
building within ten minutes Of the sound
ing of fire alarm.
In connection with this water system
there is thoroughly organized fire de-
partment, under a competent and active
Chief There are two fire engines and
four hose companies There is as little
danger from loss from fire in Chico as there
is in any place ON this continent Water is
furnished for domestic purposes. for irriga-
ton of lawns and the yards of residences
at moderate rates, and to the city at such
low rates that the streets are kept CON
stantly sprinkled.
UNSURPASSED EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
Bidwell and other early settlers had high
appreciation of the benefits of education,
and generous support was given to the
puDllC sCnOOl SNSttIll. mere are III the
city 931 children of school age. OF this
number S4l are on the school rolls, and
the attendance averages "a per cent. daily
This is an exceedingly creditable showing
There are two fine, roomy and well venti-
lated school buildings, with large, well
shaded play and pleasure grounds around
them. Fourteen teachers are employed,
TO whom salaries are paid ranging from
SO to Sl25 per month.
In the year there are ten months of
schooling. There are two primary,
grammar and high school departments, in
the latter Of which pupils are fitted for the
State University. The school officials in
form me that the public cheerfully yields
generous financial support to the school
system. In the past year more than ten
thousand dollars have been expended in
the Improvement of school property. In
addition to the public schools, there are
four private schools, one Academy with 20
pupils, two primary schools and one kin
dergarten.
THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NORMAL
SCHOOL"
Has been located at Chico, and will be
built on land donated by General Bidwell.
near the beautiful grounds of his une-
qualed place. The new building will be
constructed at once, and will be one of
the handsomest school buildings in the
State. The grounds will be large. and
beautifully adorned with trees and bloom
ing shrubs. This will make Chico the
educational center of the State, attract a
large number of families to her for the
purposes of education, and give her great
impetus.
THE cITY's CHURCHES.
Chico has six fine church structures, and
her people, while not fanatical or bigoted.
are church-going people. The denomi-
nations represented here and maintaining
worship are the Methodist Episcopal, the
Methodist Episcopal South, Baptist, Chris
ance is good, both at Sunday services, the
Sunday-schools and at weekday appoint
ments.
PUBLIC HALLS.
There are six large, well-lighted and
well-ventilated public halls in the place.
Armory Hall is new structure, with a
hall 80 by 160 feet, with commodious ante
rooms, and Henirie Hall is 40 by 60 feet.
The Odd Fellows building has two halls,
each so by 40 feet, and in the Masonic
Temple there are two halls, 40 by 100 feet.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
The fraternal feeling is manifestly strong
in Chico. The Masonic, Odd Fellows,
improved Order of Red Men, United
Workmen, Knights of Pythias and Chosen
Friends have strong organizations here.
The Masonic Order owns a building 100
by l20 feet, three stories high. The lodge
rooms are large, beautifully decorated, ard
the appointments of the dining and ante
rooms are perfect. The Odd Fellows
building and lodge-rooms are also equally
large and well arranged.
MILITARY AND UNIFORMED SOCIETIES.
The City of Roses supports a military
company of eighty members, which is well
differed, thoroughly drilled and discip-
lined. The company has a fine armory,
where drills are had every week.
This company, with the uniformed COM
panies of the fraternal societies, can form
parade exceedingly creditable to a place
Of 5000 people.
MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS.
In all branches of business the men of
Chico have assumed and maintained a DO
sitlon abreast of the foremost and most
progressive. From the first, the merchants
exhibited energy, enterprise and foresight.
They brought together large and varied
assortments of goods from all the marts of
the world. They compelled quick sales by
margins of small profits, and the result is
that they have attracted trade from great
area around them.
In every branch Of trade Chico has men
of energy and enterprise. In hardware
and agricultural implements there is
large business, and there are several firms
that deal exclusively in these goods and
who have big stores and warehouses filled
with them. The business of A. l.. Nichols
and Hubbard & Earl will illustrate the
magnitude Of this trade Mr.. Nichols
stores and warehouse occupies one-fourth
of block, and although he started in
trade only three years ago his sales amount
annually to nearly 100000, and they are
constantly increasing.
Hubbard & Earl occupy the lower story
OF the Masonic Temple, and have space
100 by 80 feet, filled with every article in
this branch of trade. The sales of this
firm also reach fully S100,Oos. annually.
Tieknor, Burnham & Co.. in general
merchandising, illustrate the volume of
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